Living with native wildlife

Bees

Native bees and European bees both play an important role in Australia’s biodiversity and agriculture as pollinators, along with beetles, fly and moth species.

Find out more about your Australian bees on the Aussie Bee website.

Each year, in November, bees and other pollinators are recognised and celebrated during Australian Pollinator Week, keep an eye out on what’s on Cardinia website for upcoming events.

Council encourages all residents to improve the biodiversity of their properties, big and small, through our free Gardens for Wildlife program.

If you have concerns about bees in and around your property, visit the bees and wasps page.

Cockatoos

Handfeeding or leaving out seed or other food for cockatoos can cause them to flock in excessive numbers to residential areas, where they can damage houses and decks and create a noise problem.

In the wild cockatoos spend most of their day searching for food. Cockatoos also need to chew to keep their beaks healthy, so providing an easy source of food gives them more time to damage property and crops and reduces their ability to find their own food in the wild.

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Magpies

The season for swooping magpies is between July and November when they are defending their eggs and young chicks. Magpies often become more aggressive as the chicks become older, swooping usually stops once the young have left the nest.

A magpie will only defend its nest within a ‘defence zone’. For pedestrians, this is usually an area within 110 metres and for cyclists it is 150 metres. Defensive behaviour can include pecking, dive-bombing and sometimes front-on attacks from the ground. The risk of eye injury means all magpie attacks need to be taken seriously.

Magpies are native Australian animals which are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975.

Tips when experiencing swooping magpies

• Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses or shelter under an umbrella to protect your face from swooping magpies (painting or sticking large ‘eyes’ on the back of your hat can also deter magpies, but this won’t work for cyclists).
• If a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will probably stop swooping if you get off your bike and walk.
• Avoid ‘defence zones’ by taking alternative routes during the breeding season.
• If you must enter a ‘defence zone’, magpies will be less likely to swoop if you maintain eye contact, or if people walk in a close group.
• Waving sticks or umbrellas in the air or attaching a brightly coloured flag on a long pole to your bicycle may stop magpies from swooping.

See the Victorian Government's Magpie map.

Snakes

• Snakes are native animals and are protected by law under the Wildlife Act 1975. You are not allowed to cause deliberate harm to them.
• We do not provide a snake catching or removal service. You will need to contact a licenced snake catcher for this. 

What to do if you see a snake

• Snakes normally avoid people. Most snake bites happen when people try to catch or kill snakes. Do your best to stay calm if you spot one and leave it alone.
• Keep children, cats and dogs away from the snake.
• If you are concerned about the snake, try to keep an eye on where it goes then contact a licenced snake catcher (Google ‘snake catcher near me’ for listings).
• You can also call the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on 136 186 for further advice.

Kangaroos

Cardinia Shire is home to a rich diversity of native wildlife, including the iconic Eastern Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are protected by law under the Wildlife Act 1975. These animals are an important part of our natural environment and can often be seen in bushland reserves and open grasslands across the shire.

What to do if you see a kangaroo

• Slow down and maintain safe speeds while driving at dusk and dawn.
• Maintain a safe distance if you encounter a kangaroo. Keep pets on a lead to ensure safety of your pet and the kangaroo.
• Injured or sick kangaroo? Call Wildlife Victoria on (03) 8400 7300 or report this online at wildlifevictoria.org.au to trained volunteers who can safely assess and assist injured wildlife.
• Dead kangaroo on public land such as roadsides or council-managed roads. Contact us on 1300 787 624 to arrange for a safe and respectful removal.
• Kangaroo management on private property is the landowner’s responsibility. If kangaroos are causing damage to property or safety concerns, landowners should contact the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on 136 186 for assistance.

Note: Permits are required for any form of kangaroo control.

Under the Wildlife Act 1975, landowners are responsible for managing risks caused by wildlife on their property. It is illegal to wilfully disturb or destroy protected wildlife without the appropriate authorisation and is legislated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986. Council officers can support residents to connect with the relevant authorities if control measures are being considered. 

For more information about managing wildlife on your land, refer to Living with Kangaroos.